It’s good to have an old voice back, particularly one that belongs to a Tennessee Sports Hall of Famer. Both the Vols football star Nico Iamaleava and basketball standout Zakai Zeigler benefit from this hire as they welcome back a familiar face! And yes, that face had been to the NFL but The Volunteer State always stuck close, for he didn’t stray further from the Tennessee Titans. 

Meet the new but former voice of Tennessee college sports Mike Keith! Vols Big Orange Podcast shared the news on X on January 10 with the caption, “It’s great to be a Tennessee Vol!” The video featured the 11x Tennessee Sportscaster of the Year labeling him the “Vols BIGGEST acquisition of the offseason.” Local broadcaster Lucas Panzica reported, “It’s official. The new voice of the Tennessee Volunteers is Mike Keith… He will be calling games for Tennessee football and basketball… This is the home run hire for all home run hires for Tennessee fans.”

Who knew Bob Kesling’s retirement plan would open the portal for Mike Keith’s return? For 25 years, the legendary Voice of the Vols entertained fans across memorable football and basketball games as the Director of Broadcasting. He became the lead sportscaster on the Vol Radio Network in 1999. That’s the year Keith moved to the NFL to call the games for the Titans after serving the Vols from 1987 to 1998. Kesling is set to retire in April. 

While losing a legend like Bob Kesling is painful, his retirement immediately rekindled a long lost memory of their former voice. As Tennessee VC and Director of Athletics Danny White said on Thursday, “When we discussed potential candidates, one name topped our list without question: bringing Mike and his family back to Rocky Top.” Now that all’s said and done, what’s waiting for Mike Keith in Knoxville after 27 long years?

A bright 2025 awaits Mike Keith in Knoxville

It must be like a homecoming for Mike Keith. His excitement was genuine when he said, “While it is very hard to say goodbye to the Tennessee Titans, it is not hard to say ‘yes’ to a return to the University of Tennessee and the Vol Network.” The 57-year-old has already been here with the college kids for 26 years! And 2025 is going to welcome him on a bright note. 

This past season, Nico Iamaleava led the Vols to their very first playoff appearance. Zakai Zeigler and his team currently lead college basketball with a 14-1 record. All in good shape! Also, Keith’s role in college football and basketball is going to extend beyond play-by-play calling. He added, “Alicia Longworth laid out a very exciting plan for how I can assist the talented VFL Films content team.” A luring offer! 

Even Mike Keith declared, “It is great to be a Tennessee Volunteer, especially in 2025!” As fans, that could even be an understatement!